He spent most of his career as a centre-back, but Pavel Drsek’s coaching philosophy is centred on expressive and attacking football. As he succinctly explained to FIFA: “I’d rather win 5-3 than 1-0!”
It’s an approach set to be showcased at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™, where Drsek will lead his native Czechia. The newly-expanded 48-team tournament begins on 3 November and, under Drsek’s leadership, the Czechs could be one of the teams to watch.
“For me, it’s better to play football that has drive and can entertain the people,” he said. “It really depends on what kind of players I am coaching, and I can change the style of play depending on them, but I really do like offensive football.”
Czechia are making their return to their U-17 World Cup after a 14-year absence. They booked their ticket to Qatar by progressing to the UEFA U-17 European Championship final tournament earlier this year.
“The qualification phase (for the EUROs) was very challenging,” said Drsek. “Every game was tough, but the team worked like well-oiled machine. It was really a success for us, because I don’t think anyone thought we could get among best teams in Europe.”
Indeed, the U-17 EURO features only eight sides and, while Czechia exited in the group phase, Drsek is convinced competing at the event will only benefit his team when they take to the global stage.
“We learned that the quality is huge from teams like Belgium, Italy and England,” he said. “There was a difference in maturity. It was clear that some players from other nations are playing adult football, and our players haven’t done this yet. But for our team, it was a very good experience. They will never forget it. We hope that they will use that and transform it into good performances at the World Cup.”
Czechia have been drawn in fascinating group at Qatar 2025, where they will do battle with USA, Burkina Faso and Tajikistan. Speaking exclusively to FIFA, Drsek discussed the challenges ahead in the Middle East, his team’s standout qualities, and his coaching inspirations.
Pavel Drsek: It’s really an honour to qualify for World Cup as a coach. It’s not only credit to me, but it’s really credit to the whole team of staff, the assistant coaches, physiotherapists and so on. And the players themselves, because it was their work. They made it and I want to thank all of them. But of course, it’s really a huge responsibility for me.
I think that all the matches will be difficult for us, because it’s the World Cup and only the quality teams will qualify. The teams are from several continents, and their style of play differs. I am interested in how we will adapt to that. We think the USA will probably be favourites to win the group.
The main strength is definitely that we work as a team and we can play as a team. We fight for each other; that’s really the characteristic of our team. I think we showed it through the qualifiers and in the EUROs as well. As for other strengths, well, I guess our opponents have to find out for themselves!
First of all, we have to define what success means for us – if it’s advancing from the group stage, or to go even further. We have to discuss it with the whole team. For me, it’s very important to have our players healthy and to be in good form, because the tournament won’t be easy. We want to be successful in every game, but you can never be sure. I will have confidence from the moment I see my players doing very well in training, being healthy, and having a good mentality.
I like coaches that have been successful, but they are not arrogant and they behave like normal, ordinary people. I really do like Jurgen Klopp, because while I was playing in Germany, a few times I played against him and then I came up against him when he became a coach. I saw his style of coaching, and I enjoyed it. I like his style of play, the attacking football he played. And of course, his path through the German clubs to Liverpool, it was something spectacular.
